Supporting structure and blanks therefor



Oct. 8, 1968 R. M. WATTS v SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND BLANKS THEREFOR 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 6, 1965 FIG-2 RICHARD M. WATTS E TOI Oct. 8,1968 R. M. WATTS 3,404,912

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed 0013.6, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 2 VI '7 r FIG-5 1 1 My, CH 73 73 11* P 5O {1 I l g I jRICHARD M. WATTS QZ a; WAMM 52 52 wm HIS ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1968 R. M.WATTS SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND BLANKS THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledOct. 6, 1965 mm hm m mm mm Om mk.

s m m m D R A H m R HIS ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1968 R. M. WATTS 3,404,912

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed 001;. 6, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. RICHARD M. WATTS BY fizw, W4,

ms ATTORNEYS United States Patent 75 3,404,912 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE ANDBLANKS THEREFOR Richard M. Watts, Henrico County, Va., assignor toReynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware FiledOct..6, 1965, Ser. No. 493,508

21. Claims. (Cl. 29487.2)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a supportingstructure or carrier adapted to fasten to the upper end portion ofcontainer's such as cylindrical beverage cans, for example, and suspendsuch cans therebelow during carrying thereof. The supporting structurehas features enabling easy carrying, stacking, and removal of individualcans.

current packages enclose practically the entire containers carriedtherein thus requiring additional package material and increasing themanufacturing costs for the addedmaterial as well as the advertisingmaterial required to identify the contents of the package. Furthermore,with this type package it is usually necessary to destroy the entirepackage to remove the individual containers and even if a handle isprovided for carrying the package it is usually destroyed in the processof opening the package. Other current packages are expensive to produce,use

an excessive amount of material, and can only be stacked 5 one on top ofthe other by using separate specialstacking devices. g. Accordingly, itis a feature of this invention to provide an improved supportingstructure of simple and economical construction, which is easilyassembled, and which uses a-minimum amount of structural materialcommensurate with the intended use for such supporting structure. 7Another feature of this invention is the provision of an article carrierwhich fastens to the upper end portion of articles it carries enablingthe articles themselves to 'be suspended therebelow in practically fullview thereby providing their own advertising.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a unique carrierfor containersin which the entire structure thereof 's fabricated merelb foldin asuitabl c ut I h M g I y y g thecarr 'er'trfFIGURES.

and scored blank and without requiring the use of glue or other separatefastening means to hold such carrier to.- gether. V Another feature ofthis invention is the provision of a container carrier having handlemeans as an integralpart thereof which is not destroyed upon .removal ofacontainer from such carrier and such handle means cooperates with othersimilar carriersand associated containers per.- rnitting a number. ofcarriers and associated containers to be stacked one on top of theother. l Q,

Anotherfeature of this invention is the provision of a container carrierwhich encloses only the top end portion of containers carried thereby,yet providing adequate sup: port for, the containers it carries whilekeeping the tops of such containers enclosed for optimum cleanlinessable 3,404,912 tea edpa, 1,9

Anot her feature of this invention is the provisionofa carrier hayingtear-out tab means adjacent containers carried by such carrier such thatthe contaimrsfian be individually released readily andsimply without.necessitating the tearing. apart of the entire carrier structure, I

, .Another feature of this invention, is the provision of a containercarrier havin'gvflap means adjoining each con: tainer in which said flapmeans prevents anassoc a ed containerfromtilting. I T

Another feature of thisinvention is thelprovision of such a carrier forcylindrical containers. having cutout areas in a top fwallof suchcarrier providing easy viewing of the top of the cylindrical containerscarried thereby enabling identificaiton simply by glancing at the top ofthe carrier. l

. .Therefore, it is an object of this invention to providean improvedcarrier having one or more of the novel features of this invention asset forth above or hereinafter shown or described. e A ,7 v

Another object of this invention is to provide improved supportingstructure blanks for sucha supportingstructure or earrier or the like. 7

Other objects, uses, and advantag'es of this invention are apparent froma reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a} part thereof and wherein: I v 7 FIGURE:1 is a perspective view illustrating one'exernplary embodiment of thisinvention in which a'car'rier for six, beverage containers is provided.f, FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective viewoffthe carrier illustrated inFIGURE l looki ng at the top thereof, p FIGURE '3 is a view'lookingnormal to the'bottomof the carrier of. FIGURE 1 'showing bnerow. withitst'hree containers in place and the other row prior to the insertionof its three containers.

,jFIGURE 4,i s an enlarged view on'theline H of FIG.- URE 2particularly'showing the spacingjflap s etween the top and bottomcarrier walls, the engagement of the 'fa's' tening' tabs'withtheperipheralbeail'providd onv-th con; tainrs, and thehandle meansforthtzarr'ier. FIGURE S 'is a 'sectional'viewio'n the line 5f5 of FIGURE'Z showing the upward extension of side wall exten sion means toprovide handle means and particularly s howing 'the'flaparrangcrnentfthe' refor l F FIGURE 6 afslig tly exaggeratedperspectiveend view of the .carri and containers'of 1 Q art iij la'rlYshowing the inward tilting"' of the lowe'r end offthe containers i pqnliftin ,the"carrierliyjits haridle means. f

F IGURE'Z isafpla 'view of the bl'anjk'use'd for making the carrierofFIGIIRE: v f

top wall "thereof to' enab lc the tops of eo ritain ers tohereadilyviewed. l

rrounne is aplan}newori iepi iji, again iaaii 'tl mp1a .-v e q .mnt "thn v ii i ed i E-IG E anl mer yal a ee s t e a a or'carrier 18 isillustrated, as well as the improved blank, shown in FIGURE 7, formaking such carrier.

The carrier 18 illustrated in FIGURE 1 has provision for carrying aplurality of article means shown in this example as six elongatedbeverage containers 19. Containers 19 are shown asright circularcylindrical in shape and each has a periperhal projection or bead (seeFIG- URES 4 and 5) projecting from their outer circumferential surfaceat one end. The unique structure of carrier 18 includes fastening meansas apart thereof cooperating with the upper end portion of eachcontainer 19, particularly engaging bead 20, to enable such containersto be firmlyfastened to carrier 18.. The containers 19 are suspendedbelow carrier 18 during carrying thereof and the handle means at the topof each carrier enables a numberof such carriers to be stacked one ontop of the other with maximum stability and without requiring specialstacking devices. As will be apparent from the drawings, carrier 18 ismade using a minimum of structural material. The containers 19illustrated only have a head at one end thereof, it is obvious thatstandard containers with a bead at each end as well as containers havinga suitable projection atv any point along their length could also becarried.

Carrier 18 has first and second cooperating wall mean illustrated in thedrawings as walls 21 and 22. Walls 21 and 22 are generally rectangularin shape and receive an end portion of containers 19 therebetween.

Wall 22 in this exemplary embodiment of the invention is comprised oftwo side by side sections shown at 23 and 24. Section 23 has extensionflaps and 26 at opposite ends thereof while section 24 has extensionfiaps 27 and 28 at its opposite ends. In addition, each section 23 and24 has a plurality of flaps 31 each with a projection 32 extendingbetween cooperating walls 21 and 22, The number of flaps 31 arrangedbetween extension flaps 25 and 26 in section 23 and between flaps 27 and28 in section 24 and thespacing therebetween is determined by the sizeand number of containers in each section. Flaps 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31help space cooperating walls 21 and 22 apart and hold them apart inparallel relation.

Spacing flaps 31 with their extensions 32 associate with a plurality ofcut means 33 in cooperating wall 21. Each spacing flap 31 has acorresponding cut means 33 arranged opposite thereto in wall 21 assuringthat walls 21 and 22 are spaced properly.

Extension flaps 25, '26, 27 and 28 are each respectively defined byscore lines 34, 35, 36 and 37 and generally U- shaped 'cuts 40, 41, 42and 43 respectively in wall 22. Each flap 25, 26, 27 and 28 in thisexemplary'embodiment of the invention has a portion which extendsbetween walls 21 and 22 upon being folded about its respective scoreline and a portion whichextends away from both walls 21 and 22 andalong'an associated container. The portion of each flap which extendsalong a container 19 associated therewith provides added support andstability for such container and also prevents the lower end of thecontainer from tilting outwardly away from carrier 18. Each section 23and 24 of cooperating wall 22 has a pair of sidewall means shown as afirst 44 a'ndsecorid 45 side wall means which are generally parallel toeach other and arranged normal to first cooperating wall 21. Side wallmeans 44 and 45 also provide spacing means along with flaps 25 26, 27,28 and 31 for spacing walls 21 and 22 apartand holding such walls apartin parallel relation. Side wall means 44 and '45 also provide astructural tie between the cooperating walls21 and'22.

' Cut-out means comprising, in" this example; a plurality of generallycircular cut-outs 46 a're provide'd in wall 22- see FIGURE 7 of theblank used to form carrier 18'for a detailed illustration of suchcut-outs. Each cut-out 46 receives therethrough and supports anassociate. cylindrical container 19. While container .19 inthis exampleis rightcircular cylindrical in shape it will be appreciated that it and its associated cut-out could ha'ye other shapes.

The circular outline of that portion of each cylindrical container 19which associates with an associated cut-out 46 is larger than thecircular outline of cut-out 46.

Score means shown as a plurality of circular score lines 47 are providedin wall 22 each concentrically surrounding its associated circularcut-out 46 and each having a circular outline or circumference largerthan the circumference of its associated container 19. Score lines 47define a plurality of annular tab strips 50 of wall material eachbetween its score line 47 and associated cutout 46.

Each annular strip 50 has a plurality of slits 51 therein commencing atits respective cut-out 46 and extending along radial lines thereacrossand into contact with score line 47 to define a plurality of tabs 52.The tabs 52 associated with each annular strip 50 are forced toward wall21 by an associated cylindrical container 19 and its peripheral bead 20extending through second wall 22. Tabs 52 yieldingly engage bead 20 ofsuch container and fasten it in position for support during carrying andstacking car-' rier 18.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a carrier for six containers n which the tabs 52for three containers are shown in their positions prior to engagement bytheir associated containers and the remaining tabs are shown'engagmg theperipheral bead of their associated containers.

It will be seen that with the containers thus fastened in carrier 18,the outer vertical surfaces of flaps 25, 26, 27 and 28 provide a surfaceat opposite ends of each carrier enabling it to be stacked adjoiningother carriers with a minimum of wasted space. While the inner surfaceof each flap engages an adjoining container and keeps it verticallyaligned.

Cut means shown as a pair of perforated lines 53 and 54 is provided ineach flap 25, 26, 27 and 28. Each pair of perforated lines 53 and 54defines a tear out portion 55 which is used to unfasten an individualcontainer 19 adjacent thereto for easy removal without disturbing thecarrier .18 and its remaining containers 19 (see FIGS 5 and 7).

Each section 23 and 24 of cooperating wall 22 has extension means 56beyond each side wall 45 thereof. A portion of each extension means orextension 56 is suitably cut and extends through slot means shown at 57in wall 21 to provide handle means shown as a pair of handles 60 forcarrier 18. The remaining portion of each extension means 56 folds belowwall 21 and parallel thereto to define the height of each side wall 45as well as provide a bearing surface for each handle 60.

In this example, the extension flap portion forming handle 60 which isassociated with section 23 has a generally U-shaped cut line 61 thereindefining a flap 62 which folds about a fold line 75 forming the upperedge of side wall 45, see FIGURES 4, 5, and 7. Upon folding flap 62about fold line 75 an opening is provided for carrying carrier 18.

While handle 60 associated with section 24 could be identical to thehandle previously described, in this example the handle 60 associatedwith section 24 has a pair of flaps 63 and 64 therein defined by aroughly H- shaped cut 65 therein. Flap 65 is foldable about itsassociated fold line 75 as previously described in connection withsimilar flap 62, while flap 63 is foldable about a score line 68. Itwill be seen that with handles 60 extending upwardly through slot means57 while adjoining each other, flap 63 holds the handles together andprovides a wider surface for supporting the weight of the carrier 18 andits containers 19. When carrier 18 is lifted by inserting ones fingersthrough the opening provided by properly folding flaps 62 and 63, flap63 eliminates any sharp edges and assures maximum comfort.

It should be noted from the drawings that with handles 60 closely heldtogether and with the flat horizontal surface provided by the top ofwall 21 a number of carriers may be easily stacked one on top of theother with the handle means inserted between the rows of containersstacked above a given carrier. The handle means thus provides means forlocking together a number of stacked carriers without requiring separatespecial devices to achieve this locking effect. It should be noted alsothat with the structure provided, upon lifting carrier 18 by handlemeans 60 the lower ends of containers 19 tend to be tilted toward eachother into a compact arrangement as shown in FIG. 6.

Slot means 57 in wall 21 is defined by a generally centrally locatedelongated slit 66 extending parallel to side wall means 44 and 45. Slit66 extends between a pair of roughly U-shaped cuts 67 at its oppositeends. The open end of each U-shaped cut 67 is oriented away from theslit 66. It will be seen that with this arrangement it is possible todefine a slot of relatively wide transverse dimension merely by cuttingsimple slits to thus permit easier insertion of the handles 60 throughslot means 57 upon forming carrier 18.

The carrier 18 is preferably made from a single sheet of foldablematerial and is made without requiring any external fastening means. Itis constructed by simple folding to provide a rugged carrier for cans,jars, bottles, and other containers which have peripheral projectionmeans along a portion thereof.

The manner of folding employed to provide a carrier with the uniquestructural integrity provided by carrier 18 will be apparent from thedescription of the blank used to make such carrier 18.

Carrier 18 can be made in any suitable manner and made from any suitablefoldable material. It is preferably formed from the blank 70,illustrated in FIGURE 7. Blank 70 is made of cardboard or the likehaving a side such as the exposed surface thereof laminated withmetallic foil, such as aluminum-containing metallic foil, or the like,suitably colored, embossed, imprinted or remaining plain as desired.

Blank 70 is suitably cut and scored to define a first 21 and second 22cooperating wall means and means spacing and holding such cooperatingWall means apart and in parallel relation upon assembling structure 18from blank 70. Cooperating wall 22 has two side by side sections 23 and24 as previously mentioned.

A first pair of spaced apart parallel score lines each designated by thenumeral 72 are provided in cooperating Wall 21 defining a pair ofextension flaps to either side of each respective score line coextensivein width with wall 21 and extending therebeyond. A series of parallelspaced apart score or fold line means shown as fold lines 73, 74 and 75provided in each extension flap define in sequence (in the assembledcarrier 18) first side wall means 44 generally normal to the firstcooperating wall 21, second cooperating wall means 22 parallel to Wall21, and second side wall means 45 generally parallel to side wall means44 and normal to cooperating wall means 21.

The free terminal end of each extension flap extending beyond secondside wall 45 and defined in each instance by fold line 75 definesextension means 56. Each extension means 56 is suitably cut and scoredto define handle 60 associated with each section 23 and 24 and flapmeans folding under wall 21.

Flap portion 56 associated with section 23 has a generally U-shaped cut61 therein defining a flap 62 which folds about fold line 75 to providean opening for its handle 60. The length of handle 60 is defined by apair of slits 76 in blank 70 on either side of handle 60. Slits 76extend from the terminal end of extension means 56 normal to fold line75 and define a pair of flaps 77 which upon forming carrier 18 foldunder wall 21 with fiap 62.

The flap portion 56 associated with section 24 has a roughly H-shapedcut 65 therein defining a pair of foldable flaps 63 and 64. Flap 63 isfoldable about its associated fold line 75 to define an opening for itshandle 60. Similarly, as previously described for section 23, slits 76define a pair of flaps 77 for section 24 and serving the same functionas described before. Flap 63 is foldable about a fold line 68 and uponassembling carrier 18 from blank 70 holds handles 60 together andprovides a better surface for supporting carrier 18. r

Slot means 57 is provided in cooperating wall 21 and includes anelongated slit '66 centrally located in Wall 21 with a pair of generallyU-shaped slits 67 symmetrically arranged at each end thereof with theopen end of such slits facing away from slit 66. It will be seen uponforming a carrier 18 from blank 70 that each handle 60-is insertedthrough the slot means provided-by slits 66 and 67 to provide a handlefor such carrier and that flaps 62, 64, and 77 fold below wall 21. Thisunique structure makes it possible to form carrier 18 from a singlesheet of'foldable material without requiring separate externalfasteningmeans.

Blank 70 has a number of extension flaps 25, 26, 27, and 28 definedrespectively by a series of fold line means 34, 35, 36, and 37 and bygenerally U-shaped cut lines in blank 70 at 40, 41, 42, and 43 inassociation with the respective fold lines. Each of such U-shaped cutlines is oriented with its open end adjoining its respective fold line.Each flap 25, 26, 27, and 28 has a portion'which folds away from wall 21and toward wall 22 providing spacing means therebetween in the assembledcarrier and another portion which folds away from both of such walls forassociation with a container adjacent thereto.

Cut means shown as a pair of perforated lines 53 and 54 is provided ineach flap 25, 26, 27 and 28. As previously mentioned each set ofperforated lines 53 and 54 defines a tear-out portion 55 which is usedto unfasten an individual container 19 adjacent thereto for easy removalof such container without disturbing the remainder of the carrier andits containers.

Cut-out means comprising, in this example, a plurality of generallycircular cut-outs 46 areprovided in wall "22. Each cut-out 46 receivestherethrough and supports an associated cylindrical container 19 uponassembling blank 70 to form carrier 18.

Score means shown as a plurality of circular score lines 47 are providedin wall 22 each concentrically surrounding its associated circularcut-out 46 and each having a circular outline or circumference largerthan the circumference of its associated container 19 Score lines 47define a plurality of annular tab strips 50 between each associatedcut-out 46 and score line 47.

Each strip 50 has a plurality of slits 51 therein commencing at itsrespective cut-out 46 and extending along radial lines thereacross andinto contact'with its associated score line 47 to define a plurality oftabs 52. The tabs 52 associated with each annular strip 50 are forcedtoward wall 21 by an associated cylindrical container 19 and itsperipheral bead 20 as such container extends through wall 22 and thetabs yieldably engage bead 20 and fasten the container to carrier 18 forsupport during storage and carrying.

Portions 23 and 24 of cooperating wall 22 each has a pair of centrallylocated spacing flaps 31 extending therebetween for spacing thecooperating walls 21 and 22 apart from each other in the assembledcarrier 18. The number of flaps 31 required and the arrangement thereoffor a given carrier 18 or for a section of such carrier is determined ineach instance by the number of containers and their size. Each flap 31is defined by a pair of slits 82 in blank 70. Slits 82 diverge fromspaced apart points on annular strip 50 and engage a fold line 83 aboutwhich they are folded to define each spacing flap 31. The forward end ofeach slit 82 has a right angle contour therein defining an extension orprojection 32 in each spacing flap 31.

Each flap 31 and its associated projection 32 cooperates with acorresponding oppositely arranged slit or cut means 33 in wall 21 of theassembled carrier 18. Each cut means 33 includes a generally U-shapedcut 84 in wall 21 and a slit 85 therein extending partially across theopen end of cut 84 thereby weakening the material in that area andpermitting the flap portion of material 86 between slits 84 and 85 to befolded about a line coextensive with slit 85 and away from cooperatingwall 21. Thus it will be seen that upon insertion of spacing flap 31with its projection 32 into cut means 33, means is provided for spacingand holding cooperating walls 21 and 22 apart in parallel relation.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURES 8and 9, a carrier 18A and its associated blank (FIGURE 9) is shown havingfeatures which are basically similar to the carrier of FIGURES 1-7.Similar parts in both embodiments will be designated by the same numeralfollowed in this latter embodiment by the reference letter A.

The carrier 18A in this exemplary embodiment has provisions for carryingthree cylindrical containers 19A each having a peripheral bead 20A atone end thereof and fastening means for fastening such container 19A tocarrier 18A for suspension therebelow as previously described inconnection with the previous embodiment. Carrier 18A has cut-out meansin its upper wall for viewing the upper end portion of containers 19A aswell as tearout means for easy unfastening of all containers includingthe center container from carrier 18A. It will be appreciated thatcarrier 18A may have provisions for any number of in-line containers andthat additional tear-out means may be provided for each containercarried along the center portion of such carrier.

Carrier 18A has first and second cooperating wall means illustrated inthe drawings as walls 21A and 22A. Walls 21A and 22A are held apart inspaced relation parallel to each other by extension flaps 25A and 26A ateach end thereof, side wall means 44A and 45A at the sides, and aplurality of spacing flaps 31A arranged between the end fiaps 25A and26A.

Wall 22A has a score line 74A therein defining a flap 56A extendingtherebeyond. Flap 56A is fastened by any suitable means such as by glue,for example, to wall 45A to thereby space and provide structural supportfor walls 21A and 22A.

Each spacing flap 31A has an extension or projection 32A and suchspacing flaps and projections cooperate with a plurality of cut means33A in cooperating wall 21A. Each spacing flap 31A and projection 32Ahas a corresponding cut means 33A arranged opposite thereto in wall 21A.

Extension fiaps 25A and 26A are each respectively defined by score lines34A and 35A and generally U-shaped cut means A and 41A in wall 22A. Eachfiap 25A and 26A is foldable about its score line and has a portionwhich extends between walls 21A and 22A to hold such walls apart attheir ends and a portion which extends away from both walls 21A and 22A.The portion of each flap 25A and 26A extending away from both such wallssupports the container 19A coming into contact therewith preventing itfrom tilting away from the carrier 18A.

Cut-out means shown as a plurality of generally circular cut-outs 46Aare provided in wall 22A. FIGURE 9 of the blank used to form carrier 18Ashows each of such cut-outs in detail. Each cut-out 46A has an outlinesmaller than the outline of that portion of a container 19A associatingtherewith.

Score means shown as a plurality of circular score lines 47A areprovided in wall 22A each concentrically surrounding an associatedcut-out 46A and each having a circumference larger than thecircumference of its associated container 19A. Score lines 47A define aplurality of annular tab strips 50A in wall 22A each concentricallysurrounding an associated cut-out 46A.

Each tab strip 50A has a plurality of slits 51A therein commencing atits respective cut-out 46A and extending along radial lines thereacrossand into contact with its score line 47A to define a plurality of tabs52A. Tabs 52A associated with a given cut-out 46A are engaged by anassociated container 19A and its bead or flange 20A extending throughwall 22A and forced toward wall 21A. Tabs 52A yieldingly engage bead 20Aand fasten the corresponding container 19A to carrier 18A.

Carrier 18A has cut means shown as a pair of perforated lines 53A and54A in each flap 25A and 26A. Each pair of perforated lines defines atear-out portion 55A which is used to unfasten the individual endcontainer 19A adjacent thereto.

Cut means is also provided in wall 44A to permit the center container19A to be easily removed and includes an elongated slit 58A in side wall44A lying parallel to and immediately adjacent top wall 21A. Slit 58Ahas a pair of perforated lines 59A extending therefrom and transversethereto across wall 44A. Slit 58A and perforated lines 59A define atear-out strip 68A which permits the center container in this exemplaryembodiment to be simply removed. While tear-out strip 68A is only shownin wall 44A it will be apparent that a similar strip could also beprovided in wall A and in the event of a carrier 18A for a larger numberof in-line containers a tear-out strip 68A could be provided for eachintermediate container.

Carrier 18A includes a plurality of preferably circular cut-outs 69A inthe top wall 21A thereof. Cut-outs 69A are provided immediately aboveone or more of the containers 19A carried by carrier 18A. In thisexample a cutout 69A is provided in wall 21A directly above all threecontainers 19A. Each cut-out 69A permits easy viewing of the top of thecylindrical containers 19A simply by glancing at the top of the carrier.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGURE 8 of the drawings, the handlemeans for carrier 18A, especially when carrying such carriers by hand,comprises simply grasping it transverse its elongated dimension.Obviously it could be possible to provide other handle means if desired.

Carrier 18A can be made in any suitable manner and using any suitablefoldable material. It is preferably formed from the blank 70Aillustrated in FIGURE 9. Blank 70A is made of cardboard or the likehaving a side thereof preferably laminated with metallic foil.

Blank 70A is suitably cut and scored and includes a series of parallelscore of fold lines 71A, 72A, 73A, and 74A to define cooperating Walls21A and 22A and side walls 44A and 45A.

Fold line 74A in cooperating wall 22A defines extension flap 56A whichis coextensive in width with wall 22A and extends beyond such wall. Uponfolding blank 74A about fold lines 71A-74A and suitably fastening flap56A to wall 45A an open ended tubular structure is thereby formed.

Wall 22A has a pair of extension flaps 25A and 26A at each end thereofrespectively defined by score lines 34A and 35A and generally U-shapedcut lines 40A and 41A in wall 22A. Flaps 25A and 26A are folded abouttheir respective fold lines 34A and 35A.

Cut-out means shown as a plurality of generally circular cut-outs 46Aare provided in wall 22A and a circular score line 47A is arranged abouteach cut-out 46A. Each cylindrical container 19A has a circumferencelarger than an associated cut-out 46A and smaller than a correspondingassociated score line 47A. The area between each cutout 46A and scoreline 47A defines a tab strip A of wall material therebetween.

A plurality of slits 51A are provided in each tab strip 50A. Slits 51Aextend along radial lines thereacross and define tabs 52A for each strip50A which, upon assembling carrier 18A from blank 70A, engage bead 20Aof an associated container 19A to fasten it to carrier 18A.

Blank 70A has a pair of perforated lines 53A and 54A in each flap 25Aand 26A defining a tear-out strip A for easy removal of the adjacentcontainers in the assembled blank. Similarly a slit 58A and a pair ofperforated lines 59A, defining a tear-out strip 68A, are provided foreasy removal of the middle container.

Cooperating wall 22A has a pair of centrally located spacing flaps 31Awhich extend between walls 21A and 22A in the assembled carrier 18A.Each flap 31A is defined by a pair of spaced apart slits 82A in wall22A. Each slit 82A has a right angle contour at the front end portionthereof defining projection 32A and each slit 82A terminates in a foldline 83A about which each flap 31A is folded. The spacing flaps 31Aprovide intermediate means for spacing and holding apart walls 21A and22A.

Wall 21A includes cut means 33A, as previously mentioned, forassociation with a cor-responding associated spacing flap 31A and itsprojection 32A in the assembled carrier 18A. Cut means 33A includes agenerally U- shaped cut 84A in wall 21A and slit 85A extending partiallyacross the open end of cut 84A to thus define a flap 86A foldable abouta line coextensive with slit 85A. Upon assembling carrier 18A it will beapparent that flap 31A and its projection 32A cooperate with anassociated cut means 33A to keep walls 21A and 22A spaced apart inparallel relation.

A plurality of circular cut-outs 69A are provided in top wall 21A.Cut-outs 69A are arranged immediately above generally circular cut-outs46A of wall 22A and enable the top of container 19A associated with agiven cutout 46A to be easily viewed from the top of the assembledcarrier 18A.

The carrier of this invention associates only with the top portion ofthe containers it carries as'previously explained, this makes suchcarrier extremely versatile. For example, many beverage containerswhether holding 12 or 16 fluid ounces are of the same diameter.Obviously the height for each capacity is different. Nevertheless, thecarrier of this invention is equally versatile in carrying both sizes.

Thus it is seen that a carrier of simple and economical construction isprovided which uniquely fastens and suspends containers therefrom duringcarrying. Such carrier has novel means for keeping its containersproperly aligned during carrying, means for stacking one car-rier on topof the other, and means releasing each container individually if desiredwithout tearing apart the entire carrier.

Further, this invention provides improved blanks for forming suchcarriers or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. An article supporting structure comprising, first and secondcooperating wall means, spacing means spacing and holding saidcooperating wall means apart, cut-out means in said second cooperatingwall means for receiving therethrough article means to be supported bysaid supporting structure, fastening means in said second wall means forfastening in position and providing the sole support for article meansreceived through said cut-out means, and handle means extendingtransverse to and above the plane of said first wall means and providingthe sole means for holding said supporting structure together, saidhandle means enabling said article means to be suspended beneath saidsecond wall means when said structure is carried by said handle means.

2. An article supporting structure as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising cut means in said spacing means defining tear-out means whichunfasten said article means upon tearing thereof.

3. An article supporting structure as set forth in claim 1 in which saidspacing means comprises side Wall means and flap means spacing saidcooperating walls apart in parallel relation, said flap means beingfoldably connected to said second wall means and extending toward saidfirst wall means while being arranged generally transverse to said sidewall means.

4. An article supporting structure as set forth in claim 3 furthercomprising projection means defining terminal end means of said fiapmeans and cooperating cut means in said first wall means adapted toreceive said projection means therethrough and assure said first andsecond cooperating wall means are held in parallel spaced apartrelation.

5. An article carrier comprising, first and second coopcrating wallmeans, spacing means spacing and holding said cooperating wall meansapart in parallel relation, cut-out means in said second wall means forreceiving therethrough one end portion of elongated article means havingperipheral projection means in said end portion, said cut-out meanshaving a geometric outline generally corresponding to and smaller thanthe geometric outline of said end portion, score means in said secondwall means having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andlarger than the outline of said end portion of said article means andsymmetrically arranged about said cut-out means to define a tab strip,slit means extending transverse to and across said tab strip definingtab means, said tab means being forced toward said first wall means bysaid larger outline article means extending through said second wallmeans while yieldingly engaging said peripheral projection means tothereby fasten said article means to said carrier, said tab meansproviding the sole support for article means, extending transverse toand above the plane of said first Wall means and providing the solemeans for holding said carrier together.

6. An article carrier as set forth in claim 5 in which said spacingmeans comprises side wall means and flap means spacing said cooperatingwall means apart in parallel relation, said flap means being arrangedgenerally transverse to said side wall means and being foldablyconnected to said second Wall means, and said tab means having a lengthwhich is smaller than the spacing between said cooperating parallel wallmeans.

7. An article carrier made from a single piece blank suitably cut andscored and being structurally held together merely by assembling saidblank comprising, first cooperating wall means, a first pair of spacedapart parallel score lines in said first cooperating wall means defining a pair of extension flaps therebeyond coextensive with said firstcooperating wall means, elongated slot means in said first cooperatingwall means arranged generally along the middle portion thereof andparallel to said score lines, said slot means having a length smallerthan the length of said first cooperating wall means, a series ofparallel spaced apart fold line means in each of said extension flapsdefining in sequence first side wall means generally normal to saidfirst cooperating wall means, second cooperating wall means parallel tosaid first cooperating wall means, and second side wall means generallyparallel to said first side wall means and normal to said firstcooperating wall means, with the free end of said extension flapdefining extension means in each of said second side wall means, andeach of said extension means having dimensions corresponding to saidelongated slot means for insertion and upward extension therethrough,cut-out means in said second cooperating wall means for receivingtherethrough one end portion of elongated article means havingperipheral projection means in said end portion, said cut-out meanshaving a geometric outline generally corresponding to and smaller. thanthe geometric outline of said end portion, score means in said secondwall means having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andlarger than the outline of said end portion of said article means andsymmetrically arranged about said cut-out means to define a tab strip,slit means extending transverse to and across said tab strip definingtab means, said tab means being forced toward said first wall means bysaid larger outline end portion and peripheral projection meansextending through said second wall means while yieldingly engaging saidperipheral projection means to thereby fasten said article means to saidcarrier, and handle means provided in said second side wall extensionmeans, whereby upon lifting a carrier by said handle means said articlemeans is suspended from said second cooperating wall means and each ofsaid second side wall means is pulled upwardly thereby slightly tiltinginwardly the lower portions of said suspended article means inserted insaid cutout means to assure easier carrying thereof.

8. An article carrier as set forth in claim 7 in which said cut-outmeans and associated score means have a circular geometric outline andsaid slit means extend along radial lines from said cut-out means tosaid circular score means.

9. An article carrier as set forth in claim 7 in which said handle meansprovided in said second side wall extension means is defined by makingsaid second side wall extension means of equal upward extension andincluding means holding said second side wall extension means together,such that said handle means is inserted between corresponding rows ofarticle means during stacking of a plurality of carriers one on top ofthe other, thus providing greater stability for the stacked carriers.

10. A blank being cut and scored and adapted to be folded andinterlocked together independent of additional attaching means to definea resulting supporting structure for article means, said blankcomprising, first and second cooperating wall means, spacing means forspacing and holding said cooperating wall means apart and in parallelrelation in said resulting supporting structure, cutout means in saidsecond wall means for receiving therethrough article means to besupported by said resulting supporting structure, cut and score means insaid second wall means defining fastening means for fastening andproviding the sole support in said resulting supporting struc ture forarticle means received through said cut-out means, and cut means in saidspacing means defining tear-out means which unfastens said article meansupon tearing thereof.

11. A blank being cut and scored and adapted to be folded andinterlocked together independent of additional attaching means to definea resulting carrier for supporting elongated article means havingperipheral projection means in an end portion thereof by suspending saidarticle means using said projection means, said blank comprising firstand second cooperating wall means, cut and score means in said blankdefining spacing means spacing and holding said cooperating wall meansapart and in parallel relation in said resulting carrier, cut-out meansin said second wall means for receiving therethrough said end portion ofsaid elongated article means, said cut-out means having a geometricoutline generally corresponding to and smaller than the geometricoutline of said end portion, score means in said second wall meanshaving a geometric outline generally corresponding to and larger thanthe outline of said article means, said score means being symmetricallyarranged about said cut-out means to define a tab strip, slit meansextending transverse to and across said tab strip defining tab meanssuch that in said resulting carrier said tab means is forced toward saidfirst wall means by said larger outline article means extending throughsaid second wall means while yielding engaging beneath said peripheralprojection means thereby fasten ing said article means to said resultingcarrier and enabling said article means to be suspended solely from saidsecond Wall means upon lifting said resulting carrier, integral handlemeans extending transverse to and above the plane of said first wallmeans in said resulting carrier by extending through cooperating slotmeans in said first wall means, said handle means providing the solemeans for holding said resulting carrier assembled together, and cutmeans in said spacing means defining tear-out means which unfastens saidarticle means from said resulting carrier upon tearing thereof.

12. A carrier blank as set forth in claim 11 having cutout means in saidfirst wall means for viewing part of the 12 end portion of said articlemeans for identification thereof.

13. A blank being suitably cut and scored to form a carrier for aplurality of containers each having a pcripheral projection bead at oneend thereof comprising, a first pair of spaced apart parallel scorelines in said blank defining a first cooperating wall means therebetweenand a pair of extension flaps extending to either side of said firstcooperating wall means and therebeyond and coextensive with said firstcooperating wall means, elongated slot means in said first cooperatingwall means arranged generally along the middle portion thereof andparallel to said score lines, said slot means having a length smallerthan the length of said first cooperating wall means, a series ofparallel spaced apart fold line means in each of said extension flapswhich upon assembling said carrier from said blank define in sequencefirst side wall means generally normal to said first cooperating wallmeans, second cooperating wall means parallel to said first cooperatingwall means, and second side wall means generally normal to said firstside wall means, a score line in the free end of each extension flapdefining extension means in each of said second side wall means, each ofsaid extension means having a portion with a dimension corresponding tosaid elongated slot means for insertion and upward extensiontherethrough, and another portion of said extension means adjacentthereto defining an extension tab foldable under said first cooperatingwall means upon insertion of the upwardly extending portion through saidelongated slot, a plurality of cut-out means in said second cooperatingwall means each for receiving therethrough one end portion of anassociated container having said peripheral projection bead, saidcut-out means having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andsmaller than the geometric outline of the container end portionassociated therewith, a plurality of score means in said second wallmeans each having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andlarger than the outline of said end portion of its associated containerand symmetrically arranged about its associated cut-out means to definea plurality of tab strips, slit means extending transverse to and acrosseach tab strip defining tab means, said tab means being forced towardsaid first wall means by said larger outline end portion of itsassociated container extending through said second cooperating wallmeans while yieldingly engaging said peripheral projection means thereofto thereby fasten said associated container to said carrier, and cutmeans in each of said second side wall extension means defining handlemeans, whereby upon assembling said carrier from said blank said handlemeans pulls each of said second side wall means upwardly therebyslightly throwing inwardly the lower portions of said containersinserted through said cutout means and suspended from said secondcooperating wall means to assure easier carrying thereof.

14. An article supporting structure comprising, first and secondcooperating wall means, spacing means spacing and holding saidcooperating wall means apart, cut-out means in said second wall meansfor receiving therethrough article means to be supported by saidsupporting structure, fastening means in said second wall means forfastening article means received through said cut-out means, cut meansin said spacing means defining tear-out means which unfasten saidarticle means upon tearing thereof, handle means for carrying saidstructure, and cutout means in said first wall means for viewing aportion of said article means therethrough for identification thereof.

15. An article supporting structure comprising, first and secondgenerally rectangular cooperating wall means, spacing means spacing andholding said cooperating wall means apart in parallel relation, saidspacing means comprising side wall means arranged between saidcooperating wall means and flap means arranged generally transverse saidside wall means, cut-out means in said second wall means for receivingtherethrough article means to be supported by said supporting structure,fastening means in said second wall means for fastening article meansreceived through said cut-out means, cut means in said spacing meansdefining tearout means which unfasten said article means upon tearingthereof, and handle means for carrying said structure.

I6. An article carrier comprising, first and second cooperating wallmeans, spacing means spacing and holding said cooperating wall meansapart in parallel relation, cutoutmeans in said second wall means forreceiving therethrough one end portion of elongated article means havingperipheral projection means in said end portion, said cut-out meanshaving a geometric outline generally corresponding to and smaller thanthe geometric outline of said end portion, score means in said secondwall means having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andlarger than the outline of said end portion of said article means andsymmetrically arranged about said cut-out means to define a tab strip,slittmeans extending transverse to and across said tab strip definingtab means, said tab means being forced toward said first wall means bysaid larger outline article means extending through said second wallmeans while yieldingly engaging said peripheral projection means tothereby fasten said article means to said carrier, cut means in saidspacing means defining tear-out means which unfastens said article meansupon tearing thereof, handle means for said carrier, and cut-out meansin said first wall means for viewing part of said end portion foridentification.

17. An article carrier comprising, first and second cooperating wallmeans, elongated slot means in said first wall means, spacing meansspacing and holding said cooperating wall means apart in parallelrelation, cut-out means in said second wall means for receivingtherethrough one end portion of elongated article means havingperipheral projection means in said end portion, said cut-out meanshaving a geometric outline generally corresponding to and smaller thanthe geometric outline of said end portion, score means in said secondwall means having a geometric outline generally corresponding to andlarger than the outline of said end portion of said article means andsymmetrically arranged about said cut-out means to define a tab strip,slit means extending transverse to and across said tab strip definingtab means, said tab means being forced toward said first wall means bysaid larger outline article means extending through said second wallmeans while yieldingly engaging said peripheral projection means tothereby fasten said article means to said carrier, cut means in saidspacing means defining tear-out means which unfastens said article meansupon tearing thereof, and handle means for said carrier, said handlemeans being provided by extension means in said side wall meansextending through said elongated slot means.

18. An article supporting structure comprising, first and secondcooperating wall means, said first wall means having an elongated slotmeans extending therethrough, spacing means for spacing and holding saidcooperating wall means in substantially parallel spaced apart relation,said spacing means comprising side wall means fastened between saidcooperating wall means, extension means in said side wall means arrangedadjacent said elongated slot means, said extension means extendingsubstantially normally through said elongated slot means and above theplane of said first wall means to define handle means for saidsupporting structure, cut-out means in said second cooperating Wallmeans for receiving therethrough article means to be supported by saidsupporting structure, and fastening means in said second wall means forfastening in position and providing the sole support for article meansreceived through said cut-out means, said handle means providing thesole means for holding said supporting structure together and enablingsaid article means to be suspended therebeneath.

19. An article supporting structure as set forth in claim 18 furthercomprising cut means in said spacing means defining tear-out means whichunfastens said article means upon tearing thereof.

20. A blank being cut and scored and adapted to be interlocked togetherto define a resulting article supporting structure, said blankcomprising, first and second cooperating wall means, said first wallmeans having an elongated slot means extending therethrough, spacingmeans for spacing and holding said cooperating wall means insubstantially parallel spaced apart relation in said resultingsupporting structure, said spacing means comprising side wall meansadapted to be fastened between said cooperating wall means in saidresulting supporting structure, extension means in said side wall meanswhich is adapted to be arranged adjacent said elongated slot means ofsaid resulting supporting structure, said extension means being adaptedto extend substantially normally through said elongated slot means andabove the plane of said first wall means to define handle means for saidresulting supporting structure, cut-out means in said second cooperatingwall means for receiving therethrough article means to be supported bysaid resulting supporting structure, and fastening means in said secondwall means for fastening in position and providing the sole support insaid resulting supporting structure for article means received throughsaid cut-out means, said handle means being adapted to provide the solemeans for holding said resulting supporting structure together andenabling said article means to be suspended therebeneath.

21. A blank as set forth in claim 20 further comprising cut means insaid spacing means defining tear-out means adapted to unfasten saidarticle means from said resulting supporting structure upon tearingthereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,760,631 8/ 1956 Stearn 2062,823,062 2/ 1958 Toensmeier 206-65 X 3,139,981 7/1964 Akeireb 206-65 X3,156,358 11/1964 Randrup 206-65 3,281,180 10/ 1966 Spery 206-65 XMARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner.

